Squirrels St Marys

Inspection of Squirrels St Marys High Crompton St. Marys C of E School, Rushcroft Road, Shaw, OLDHAM OL2 7PP

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This provision meets requirements

Staff create a warm, welcoming and safe environment for children to play, explore and relax in. They have high expectations of children and aim to challenge them in their play. Children enter the club happily, settle quickly and talk about their school day with staff and their friends. The manager is committed to meeting the individual needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND). She thoughtfully considers the environment to ensure all children can freely and independently access resources and take part in social times in their own way.

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This provision meets requirements

Children are happy to attend the club. They enjoy choosing their own activities and spend time playing with their friends. For example, children particularly enjoy being creative. They take part in a range of craft activities and enjoy dressing up and using their imagination. Children of all ages play well together. Older children are keen and very willing to help younger children. For example, older children show care and consideration when a younger child falls over and check that they are okay. Children have fun as they thread wool onto card to make a pom-pom. They concentrate well and remain focused on the activity. They develop their physical skills outdoors as they play football and climb using school equipment. Staff freely join in with children's games and, indoors, children freely approach staff asking for help. For example, children ask for staff's assistance when trying to build a play box boat.

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need to do better?

n Children thoroughly enjoy the activities available to them, particularly the opportunities to be creative. They confidently use scissors as they cut out pieces of fabric to make different types of clothing. They discuss if these clothes are to be worn during winter or summer, and dress mannequins and dolls accordingly. Children concentrate intently as they design and create. They work hard to complete their artwork and are praised by staff for their hard work and efforts. n Children enjoy being outdoors. They play cooperatively in groups, for example boys challenge each other to a game of football. Younger children practise balancing skills on the tyres and chase each other around. This helps to develop their physical and social skills effectively. Children know that, following a healthy snack, they will be able to participate in favourite activities. n Staff are dedicated, enthusiastic and work well together. There is a real sense of

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need to do better?

teamwork as they decide on and organise their roles and responsibilities. Staff deploy themselves well and ensure that they engage positively with children in the array of activities available. They talk to children about what they are doing, model language and ask questions.

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need to do better?

5 February 2020 n Staff are positive role models and help children understand what is expected of them. The links staff make with the school's routines and ethos support children to behave very well. They are polite and considerate, and they understand how they should treat each other with friendly respect. n The manager has built effective and beneficial working relationships with the host school. She uses these professional partnerships to ensure continuity of care for all children, including those with SEND. Regular communication and information sharing mean children's needs are swiftly met and reasonable adjustments can be made to ensure all children feel comfortable. n Staff evaluate what they offer children and ask parents and children for their views to help to improve the club. They consider children's requests and listen to their ideas. For example, children say that they want to do a specific craft

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need to do better?

activity and staff ensure this is available and that all children can take part, if they choose. Managers complete regular supervision meetings with staff to monitor their overall performance. However, there is scope to improve how their professional development is targeted, for example to help further raise the quality of staff interactions with children during play. n Parents are very happy with the overall quality of the club. For example, they comment that 'staff are fantastic and provide an excellent environment'. Staff keep parents well informed through daily conversations and also send updates via newsletters. These positive relationships help to promote strong communication and continuity of care successfully.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibilities to help protect children from harm. They ensure their knowledge stays current and detailed. For instance, staff can identify any signs or symptoms which may indicate that a child may be being abused. They also confidently understand the procedures to follow should they have an allegation against another member of staff, or a member of the management team. Staff build strong, genuine relationships with children. This helps to ensure they recognise any changes in behaviour that children display, which may cause concern. The club premises are very secure and access is only granted to known or verified people. This helps to minimise the risk of harm to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY432702 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10065390 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care Age range of children 5 to 11 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 78 Name of registered person Squirrels Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07938220267 Date of previous inspection 29 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Squirrels St Marys registered in 2011. It operates within St. Mary's Church of England School in Shaw, Oldham. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 9am and from 3.30pm until 5.45pm, during term time only. It offers holiday care each weekday from 7.30am until 5.45pm, during school holidays. The setting employs three members of staff. Of these, two hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The manager discussed the organisation, planning and intent of activities on offer during a learning walk with the inspector. n Staff, parents and children shared their feedback, experiences and opinions with the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children and evaluated the quality of these interactions. n Throughout the inspection, the inspector held several meetings with the manager and looked at a range of documentation, including policies, records of children's attendance and staff's qualifications. n The inspector asked about how the club works in partnership with the host school.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

5 February 2020 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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